Welcome to Franklin

Eleven. That's the number I come up with when I try to think of all the addresses I've held over the last five years. Staying on the move is an exhausting process of damaged electronics, mail forwarding, temporary furniture and frequent oil changes. Many of these places I remember poorly, the exact physical addresses and landlord names have already been filed away somewhere in my memory where I can't find them.

Recently I've been able to stay put for almost a year in the same place. Unfortunately, my streak is now broken and I'll be living in Franklin,NC until the middle of December while pursuing a National Park Service law enforcement commission. Though I'd much rather be at home with my wife back in Gatlinburg this move has allowed me to re-discover one of the few things I do like about moving, getting to run in new places. Once again exploring new territory has brought it to my attention that while I might not remember some things about past places I've lived, I have some very vivid memories thanks to being a runner. I know where to find a few abandoned (but very productive) apple trees in Grove City, PA and even what time they spray for mosquitoes on Ocracoke Island, NC.

And with every place I've lived, looking back I always say something like, "You know, (random place) was a really good place to run." Franklin has been no different. I'm surrounded by the Nantathala National Forest and am only about 2.5miles from the AT, surprisingly, some of the best runs I've had here have been on the abundance of low-traffic backroads that snake through the mountains.

A few photos from this Saturday's early morning run:

Why two front doors?

For the past five years, much of my life has felt too fast paced to form memories. This is one of the many reasons I love to run as much as I do. It's a chance to connect with your neighborhood and get to know the place in a way that is near impossible otherwise. Though many of the details have slipped through the cracks,I still feel a connection to the places I've lived and can at least remember abstract things like what the seasons felt like.  As we leave Summer and progress into Fall I hope everyone gets a chance to head out the front door to explore a bit, and hopefully create a few good memories.